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Berks County Detention Center to continue operations without a license

Berks County Detention Center to continue operations without a license

The protest is part of a National Day of Action to End Family Detention. Berks is one of three family detention centers. The other two are located in Texas — one in Dilley and the other in Karnes City.

Dozens of protesters gathered outside the Berks County Residential Center Monday demanding the release of children and parents being held at this facility.

“ICE has been operating the center already in violation of federal law with some families being detained again for months at a time and now without a state license they will be in violation of state law,” said Erika Almiron, executive director of Juntos.

On Jan. 30, the Department of Human Services announced that the licensing for the Detention Center would not be renewed, on the grounds that it is operating beyond what it is certified to do.

The state is revoking the license because both adults and children are housed there, according to witf.org, and the license only authorized children living at the center.

"The license that allows the center to stay open expired on Sunday,” said Yared Portillo, a youth organizer at Juntos. “However, immigration authorities have decided to appeal the case, and as this is in process, the center is still in operation. That’s why we're here demanding the immediate shutdown of the center and the release of the families."

The protest is part of a National Day of Action to End Family Detention. Berks is one of three family detention centers. The other two are located in Texas — one in Dilley and the other in Karnes City.

Activists demanded that:

PA DHS should order an Emergency Removal of families while the appeal is in process, as they have done in the past when revoking a license.

The County Commissioners should drop their appeal and stop participating in this painful and inhumane practice.

ICE should end their policy of family detention and be held accountable for their violation of federal law.

At least two members of the coalition were arrested during the demonstration. Both Almirón and Sundrop Carter, executive director of the Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizenship Coalition (PICC), were arrested for “hugging the detained families."

However,wfmz.com reported on Monday that an ICE representative stated through an email that the center will continue on full operation.

"U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) fully respects the rights of all people to voice their opinion within the confines of the law. While the county's appeal is pending with Pennsylvania's Department of Human Services, operations will continue,” read the statement, according to wfmz.com

No Child should ever EVER be imprisoned! Although it brings me great sadness, it is my anger that drove me to today's...